Pipe cleaning element



Feb. 6, 1940. E, SCHAER 2,188,959

PIPE CLEANING ELEMENT Filed June 18, 1937 Figa By a@ j /fa A 77'OR/VEX Patented Feb. 6, 1940 l UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE` PIPE CLEANING ELEMENT. Eugene Schaer,A Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada v Application June 1s, '1937, seal. No. 148,928

y, y 4 Claims.

This invention relates'to a pipe or hose cleaning element of the type adaptedv for propulsion by liquid pressure through the pipe or hose to. be cleanedsuch as is disclosed Ain my ,co-pending application, led,July 29,. 1935, Serial No. 29,059 (now Patent Number 2,085,453), of which this application is -aicontinuation in part.

Ithas been proposed to use sponge or bristle brushes for this purpose but it isv an object of A lu this invention to provide a sponge rubber cleaning surface on the `cleaning element which material possesses cleansing advantages over the heretofore y employed bristle or ordinary sponge brushes.

AAnother object is to provide a structure formed substantially wholly of a liexible material such as rubber whereby sufficient flexibility is possessed thereby to negotiate with readiness bends or turns in the pipe or hose being cleaned.

Another object is to provide an element having a central liquid receiving recess at either end whereby the motive power derived from liquid acting thereon is increased.

Another object is to provide means for lubricating with liquid the contacting surfaces of the cleaning element and the pipe or hose being cleaned and for dissipating undesirable vacuum pockets.

Another object is to provide means, in one form of cleaning element, for maintaining a close contact at all times between the cleaning surface of the element and the surface being cleaned despite wear of the cleaning surface.'

'I'he inventionwill be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figures 1,-2, and 3 are longitudinal sections of three forms of cleaning elements .in accordance with the invention.

Referring to F'igure 1 of the drawing, cylindrical sponge rubber brushes I are mounted in spaced relation on a flexible frame member 2 formed of a relatively stili' rubber having cupshaped end portions 3 providing recesses 4.

Referring to Figure 2, cylindrical sponge rubber brushes 5 are mounted in spaced relation on a flexible frame member 6 formed of rubber having cup members 'I mounted on either end thereof to provide recesses 8. Supporting washers 9 may be provided. Axial channels Il) are formed in the yframe member 6 being separated by a central wall II in the member 6. Each channel is provided with a pair of ports I2 adjacent the wall I I leading to the space between the brushes 5.

Referring .to Figure 3, a cylindrical sponge rubi ber brush I3 is mounted on a soft rubber tube are provided to cooperate with the threaded projections Iiigfor securing the lparts I4 and I 6in assembled relation. 'Each end cap is formed with a tubular portion I9, which projects within the frame member I6, and Within each tubular l portion I 9 is formed a ball check valve seat 20 a partial vacuum where the same is in contact with the lining of the pipe or hose. Moreover,

' in the cleaning of brewers beer pipe and hose,

the desirable beer stone lining which forms therein is unaffected by the use of a sponge rubber brush Whereas a bristle or hair brush frequently destroys this lining.

` The cupped ends of al1 three forms of cleaning velements shown ensure that maximum motive cation-of the brushing surfacesof -the elementis eected by supplying water thereto through one of the channels I0 and ports I2, asl shown in Figure 2,` or through the channel I1 and ports 22, as shown in Figure 3. The 110W of water out I of the ports mentioned, which it will be noted occurs in both directions of travel of the element, also carries with it .any accumulation of dirt or slime and provides for the escape of air and dissipation of vacuum pockets which may occur,

for instance, betweenthe brushes 5, in the form` shown in Figure 2, or within the channel I'I, in the form shown in Figure 3.

In the form shown in Figure 3, the construction.

described ensures a close contact of the rubbing surfaces of the brush with the surfaces to be cleaned despite Wear of the rubbing surfaces of the brush. This is eifected by the action of Water orl other liquid pressure acting through the cleaned by a ow of liquid acting on either end thereof comprising a tubular exible frame formed of relatively hard rubber, a tubular swabbing member formed of relatively soft rubber surrounding and carried by said frame, valve means at both ends for closing either end of said tubular frame responsive to flow of liquid from the other end, to close same, and means whereby liquid under pressure may be directed against the inner surface of said tubular sWabb-ing member to expand the same comprising a plurality of passages leading from the inside of said tubular frame to the inner surface of said tubular swabbing member.

2. A hose or pipe cleaning element adapted to be propelled through a hose or pipeto be cleaned by a flow of liquid acting on either end I thereof comprising a tubular flexible frame, a tubular swabbing member surrounding and carried by said frame, and valve means at both ends for closing either end of said tubular yframe re` by a flow of liquid acting on either endthereof comprising a tubular exible frame, a tubular v swabbing member surrounding and carried by said frame, and valve means at both ends vior closing either lend of said tubular frame responsive to flow of liquid from the other end to close same, said element having liquid outlet ports exy tending from Within said'tubular frame to the outer surface of the tubular swabbing member.

EUGENEfSCI-IAER. 

